Wizards 111, Celtics 103: Washington could present a problem

The last time the Celtics saw the Wizards it was an epic Game 7 Eastern Conference semifinals showdown. And while this edition of the C’s the Wizards faced on Christmas Day has drastically changed since then, the intensity displayed by both clubs sure seemed familiar.

The big difference time around? The end result.

In what was a competitive game between the two teams, the Wizards used a 12-0 fourth-quarter run to put the Celtics away. John Wall and Bradley Beal combined for 17 points in the final frame as Washington cruised to a 111-103 win at TD Garden. (For a complete recap of the Celtics’ loss, click here.)

Wall and Beal made a statement on Monday as they showed just how tough the Wizards can be when they are on their game. The dynamic backcourt duo led the Wizards with a combined 46 points, with Wall netting 21 points to go with his 14 assists. Kelly Oubre also finished with 16.

After the Wizards kicked off the second half with a 10-2 run, the Celtics rallied back late in the third quarter before Rozier’s corner 3-pointer at the end of the frame pulled Boston to within four points (80-76). In what was a back-and-forth contest, the Celtics managed to create some separation before the Wizards went on their game-defining run.

Jayson Tatum found his offense late in the fourth — where he drained nine of his 20 points. Thanks to the Wizards’ late-game run, it wasn’t enough.

“Obviously, [we] didn’t play great offense; had a couple rim out but also had a couple of turnovers,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens pointed out. “You know, I thought their best players were comfortable all night. I didn’t feel like we were into [Bradley] Beal at the level we needed to be. I thought we were really lucky that he had kind of an off shooting night. And then obviously [John] Wall got downhill on us on a bunch of different matchups. And then probably most importantly, the wing rebounding on the offensive glass. I mean, those are killer possessions when you have a stop and you just can’t finish that stop. You know, we turned and looked instead of [boxing] out most of the night, and it ended up costing us.”

The Celtics will have a day to rest before heading to Charlotte to take on the Hornets, Wednesday, on the first night of a back-to-back set.

JBL Audio Stat of the Game: Washington produced 18 second chance points on 14 offensive rebounds. The Celtics finished with just nine second-chance points.

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